The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-30
Life of Daniel Manning.

Few men arrive at so prominent position
in public life as that Of Daniel Manning,
with so little in their upward course that is
noteworthy, to mark the successive stages
OF progress. There is hardly an incident in
his career that calls for particular elabora-
tion, or that can be regarded as turning
point in the direction of his on the whole re-
marlcable rise.
Mr.. Manning was the son of an Albany
baker, who half century ago lived in a
modest dwelling still standing, nearly op-
posite the late secretary's fine mansion, two
blocks west of the state capitol.
The family was in plain circumstances
when the father died, leaving three sons and
daughter to be cared for by their mother.
OF these John B. Manning a wealthy oiti-
zen of Buffalo and at one time mayor of
that city, and Maria, the daughter, sur
vive. Daniel, the second son in age, was
born on Aug. 49, 1881. When his father
died he was 0 years old. At this early age
he became connected with the newspa-
per office in which he served in every stage
of promotion from route carrier to pres-
dent Of its corporation. His first service
was with the old Albany Atlas, which af
terward became The Atlas and Argus, and
later the widely known Albany Argus
From errand boy he became an apprentice In
the composing and job rooms, and by the
time he was master of the mechanical de-
partment of the establishment he was found
TO be as apt at getting and preparing news
fer the paper as he was at setting in types
what others had prepared. He had an ex-
celient faculty for making acquaint-
ances that could contribute something to
political news, with which the papers
Of that day abounde6 to the exclusion Of
more general matters. Thurlow Weed went
to Albany and established The Journal about
the time Daniel Manning was born. When
the latter grew to the estate of usefulness as
T. porter and editor, The Journal and The
Argus were in the hottest part of their life
long partisan controversies. Young Man
ming became imbued with the spirit of the
political strife of the times From loyalty
to the Democratic side he became an enthu-
siastic partisan, and when he was given the
legislature as his field of news opera
tons, he soon began to be felt as
young man whose acquaintance 1t
was worth the politicians while to cult
vale. His growth in business connected
with the paper was under the guidance Of
Calvin Comstock, one Of the proprietors OF
The Argus, while the political branch of his
development was under the tutelage of
William Cassidy, the astute editorial poll
tician who long dominated The Argus at the
state capital In 1865, then "a years old, he
became associate editor with Mr.. Cassidy,
and not long afterward he succeeded to Mr..
ComstocK's proprietary interest Mr.. Cas-
sidy's death in 1878 left Mr.. Manning at the
head Of the newspaper concern, to be re-
sponsible for its financial prosperity and its
political course. How well he discharged
these duties is shown by the business success
OF the paper.
Two years after the Tweed ring was dis
rupted he advanced to the front in Albany.
Mr.. Cassidy died, and he became the editor
and manager of The Argus.
In 1876 Mr.. Manning became member of
the Democratic state committee. He had
supported Governor Tilden for the nominal
tion for president, and his intimate knowl-
edge of the governors plans made him one
OF the most useful men ON the committee
during the campaign Of 1876. In 1879 he
was made secretary of the state committee,
with Daniel S. Lamont as clerk
From 1881 till 1885 he was chairman of the
state committee and had undisputed control
of the organization. When he was asked by
Albany bankers TO be their guest at a dinner
in honor of his appointment as secretary of
the treasury, he declined, saying: 81 assur,'
you that the happiness afforded is all ths
greater because quite realize that the Of
tices you tender are gsnuine and hearty. "
After Mr.. Cleveland was elected presid
Mr.. Manning expressed sincere desire To
retire from political activity. Two weeks
after the election he said; "The campaign
was long and hard fought. desire TO be re-
leased from responsibility. Being asked with
reference to the prevailing gossip about his
going into the cabinet, he replied "Sucl
talk is natural with people who do no,
understand how a man can be active in 4
successful campaign, as have been for tn,
past few months, without expecting reward
in tn way OF an office. have no desire
for public office. My means are ample fo
ths support of my family, my business il
sufficient to absorb my time as closely as
desire to have it absorbed, and shall be con
tented TO remain at my desk here in tn
bank, and glide through life as
private citizen. Instead of getting int
offlce, or deeper into politics. i assure yol
my desire is to keep out of the forme
and get out of the latter With refer
ence to the part he took in nominatin
Mr.. Cleveland, he saidi "My action q
Chicago was guided by cold judgment
There was not particle OF sentiment in il
as there might have been IL l had been urgin
Mr.. lndtns nomination. was carer I'll DC
co say TO delegates from other states that "
could carry New York for Cleveland. onl
said that II we could not carry it for him,
did not know with whom we could carry 1t.
Mr.. Manning was first married to Mi
Mary Little, in 1858. She died in lss
leaving two sons, James Hilton Manning
who is the managing editor of The Argu
and Frederick Clinton Manning, who is a
active young business man in Alban.
These young men inherit in no degree wha
ever their fathers political estate. The
have no taste nor inclination for publicit
beyond what is necessary for their busines
They are highly esteemed and popular, IL
more so because they never sought person.
advantage from their fathers prominen'
In his party. When Mr., Manning accepte
the position Of secretary Of the treasur,
he was chairman Of the Democrat
state committee, which position he resigne
when the next state convention met. II
was also president of Tue Argus company
president OF the Albany National Comme
cial bank, one Of the park commissioners {
that city, director In the Albany Stre'
Railroad company aDd 10 tAe Electric Ligl